The victim, 17-year-old Kionta Murphy, graduated two weeks ago from Mount Eden High School in Hayward, where he was on the wrestling and football teams. He had planned to join the U.S. Marine Corps.

“He was a really good kid,” said John Taylor, the president of the local school board. “This is a loss for all of us on Hayward.”

Kionta and his friend were walking near Art Avenue and Morningside Drive about 1 a.m. when they came across a group of men, police said.

After a brief exchange of words, one of the assailants pulled a gun and shot Kionta, who was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. The shooter and the rest of his group reportedly fled in a silver SUV. No arrests have been made.